The New Nation - Internet Edition

Cultural Desk

On Wednesday, October 17 in a global call to demand world leaders do more to end poverty and inequality; commemorating with the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty, thousands of events took place for 24 hours from yesterday, 16th October in 126 countries around the world. Civil society and anti-poverty organizations here in Dhaka held a massive congregation marking the `People Stand Up Against Poverty' program at city mayor's office at Nagar Bhaban, Gulistan, Dhaka. The theme for this year International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is 'Stand Up and Speak out against Poverty and Inequality'. People's Forum on MDGs (PFM), a united organization of civil society to review the progress of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), has taken up different programs including raising public opinion.

An open air musical event was organized at the Robindra Sharobar Mancha, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, today, as a part of the campaign `Stand Up and Speak out against Poverty and Inequality', which a part of those programs, which has successfully drawn a huge crowd to witness and by the end of the day, to express their solidarity with the campaign, including celebrities and artistes gathering at the Robindra Sharobar Mancha. The gathering, open for all has started at 1:30 p.m. by the performances of a group of artiste from leading production house Ektaar, followed by live performance of eminent baul and folk singer Shahajahan Munshi. The leading bands of the country along with popular artistes and folk singers have rendered music at the program. The bands included Artcell, Aurthohin, Bangla, Black, Warefaze, Nemesis, Nash-T, and Dhaka of Maqsoodul Haque. The artistes include Faqir Alamgir, Aurnob along with folk singers like Rab Faqir as well. Besides, celebrities from a wide range of performing art and cultural sector, and eminent cultural personalities of the country were present there to express unity with the anti-poverty campaign. Referring on celebration of the day, Ms. Tasneem Athar, deputy director, Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) and the focal point of PFM Bangladesh, said, 'We want people of all walks raise their voice against poverty and demand for implementation of UN Millennium Declarations.'

Bangladesh has been one of the signatories of UN declared Millennium Development Goals. Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP), an international coalition of non-government organizations, has prepared for an amazing mass mobilization on 17th October around the world, aspiring to achieve the biggest ever mobilization against poverty and inequality in more than hundreds of countries including Bangladesh.